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Paleo fast casual joint opening in Denver

April 25, 2017

Jennifer Peters and Chef Carrie Baird today opened their scratch-kitchen Paleo concept, Just Be Kitchen, in Denver. With a mission to serve mindful mouthfuls from a conscious kitchen with kindness on a plate, Just Be Kitchen aims to be a home away from home for its guests, Peters said in a company press release.

"We want everyone to feel nourished and cared for when they are here," she said. "We want our guests to be able to have a 'mindful moment' at Just BE Kitchen, and feel like they are doing something good for their minds and bodies. Food is the vessel for the experience we want to create because food is at the heart of total well-being."

The restaurant Upon entering the space, guests may feel inspired by the various quotes of inspiration on the walls, hand-made vintage furniture and carpentry (lots of Beetle-Kill is used), all which give the space a cozy, shabby-chic vibe, Peters said. To compliment the positive energy Peters and Baird want customers to feel, there is a large chalk wall where guests can answer the question: “What would you do if you weren't afraid?”

"Most of the fast-casual spots you see these days have a very stark and industrial aesthetic," Peters said. "We wanted Just Be Kitchen to combat that cold, impersonal feeling and instead embrace a more homey ambiance — which when coupled with our modern style of service makes for what we hope to be a great customer experience."

Guests place their orders at the counter and may grab a Bullet Coffee (coffee blended with organic butter and something called MCT oil, which stands for multi-chain triglyceride oil, and has numerous health perks) from the barista station kitty-corner. Seating options include small tables in beetle-kill pin or a farmhouse-style wooden community table.

The food Chef Carrie Baird has designed a Paleo-friendly and gluten-free menu. Baird has also taken care to source locally and responsibly for her menu, which features items from purveyors like Neiman Ranch, Rocky Mountain Eggs, Frontier Natural and Red Bird Chicken, according to the release.

Menu items include the Meatzza, a Paleo and gluten/grain-free take on a classic pizza, featuring a sausage base rather than dough and JBK Bone Broth, made from grass-fed and pasture-raised animal (beef) bones with the option to add garlic, ginger, parsley, turmeric, sea salt or scallions.